Douglas Lake

Douglas Lake

Douglas Lake
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles263 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
60
Average
12
Poor
4
Terrible
2

MTB-Illinois
Illinois248 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
This was our first time driving in this direction while staying in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg areas. We took the scenic route to the lake and enjoyed the drive. The lake is beautiful and we enjoyed seeing some of the beautiful homes in the area. The drive back was also a scenic route.
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JoAnn T
Zephyrhills, FL16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
My brother, his wife, and my tween boy rented a pontoon boat and toured the lake. We did a little fishing with no luck. We rented from a place on Douglas lake that had only new pontoon boats, and we had the most relaxing time! It poured rain in the early AM, so we nearly did not go, but so glad we did. By they time we arrived later in the morning, the sun was shining and it turned out to be a beautiful day. We were SO glad we only rented the boat for 1/2 a day which was plenty of time, an entire day would have been too much for us. Be aware, there is NO place to dock and use a bathroom, not even the pontoon rental places. There are many "fingers" to this lake, so we explored most of them. Because of the early rain, we had a lot less traffic on the lake. Most of the boats did not arrive until the afternoon. The floating dock was not very fun to cross to get to the boat rental. If I were elderly, or very young, it may have proved to be difficult. Would highly recommend a portable stroller for young children. There are no hand rails, nothing, but a floating dock that is relatively narrow, and if it is windy at all that dock moves a LOT. difficult to keep your balance, unless you look ahead and not down. They should definitely consider putting in a dock with hand rails.
Written March 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

realtortothestars
Louisville, KY1,002 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Friends
We took a tour of the island in the middle of the lake that sits in front of the Marina. You would never know that if you didn't take the tour. Lots of coves and the lake is 140 ft deep. Man man by the dam in 1942 in a short period of time. Beautifully surrounded by mountains with the Smokeys in the background
Written August 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Huh
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
No catfish. Well, there was 1 catfish in the entire lake and I caught him. He has green eyes, a spotted belly and tons of attitude. His name is Dave and he’s 11” long and growing. I felt bad for other fishermen so I threw him back. We fished here a whole week for catfish and walked away humiliated. The lake is heavily commercially fished specifically for catfish to supply the local restaurants. It’s a beautiful lake so if you enjoy water sports or just cruising the lake, you’ll love it. Just leave your deep fryer and batter mix at home. If you’re looking for catfish try lake Barkley, lake Cumberland or your neighbors pond, you’ll have better luck.
Written July 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mathstud
Mulberry, FL548 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Solo
The lake is gorgeous. I recommend going to French Broad Baptist Church. It is situated on the lake and has a great view. This church is located the Battle if Hays Ferry. The church appears to be a historic building as well.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen N
Spring Grove, IL34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Couples
A day of fabulous fun. Truly outstanding boat rental company. Outstanding boat, engine, clean, easy check in and out. Kids work hard for this company. We had 6 couples on board and everyone was truly impressed. Highly recommend this activity.
Written June 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Susan K
Dandridge, TN14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Family
I live on Douglas Lake, mile marker 14. I am sad about the review of the grandson that drowned. I have grown children and I do not allow them to swim at our home, or on the boat, without a floating device. Our lake is a dammed up River, The French Broad. There is a strong current under the water when they are letting water out of the Dam. You can research water withdrawal from the Dam at the TVA website if you will be visiting our area. The lake is a beautiful 33,000 acre area, approx 30 miles long and 525 miles of shoreline. The beautiful mountains that surround it make it an awesome place to live. just be careful and be safe, life jackets required, no exceptions.
Written August 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

marinerjess
Dandridge, TN231 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Family
My fiance and I moved to Dandridge in August, as the proud homeowners of a house on Douglas Lake's main channel. I can say with all honesty that Douglas Lake is what convinced us to buy waterfront property in eastern Tennessee. This lake, while man-made, is just gorgeous!

It's a huge lake, with all sorts of coves and interesting places to explore and swim. There's great fishing, not a day goes by without a bass boat. There's plenty of public launches, marinas to fuel up at and grab a bite to eat, and chances to see wildlife, like bald eagles!

I love Douglas Lake, and am thrilled to call it home. Just a warning though...it is a seasonal lake, and while it's still beautiful in the winter, it's about 50 feet lower than the summer season.
Written December 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shelia S
4 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017 • Couples
This lake unsafe if you have young children or any one needs to wear a life jacket untoes. We lost our grandson to drowning here and he knew he couldn't swim and never would get in water he couldn't see bottom mist if time it was knee deep unanswer reason
Written July 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HikerGuideSteve
Sevierville, TN27 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Business
The Tennessee Valley Authority, created this lake in the 1930's primarily for flood control, and hydroelectric power generation. The lake is drawn down before and after the summer season, to be ready to catch rain and snow melt, and prevent the seasonal flooding, that so dogged this area previously. During the drawdown, the lake looks mostly like a mud flat in many areas. Many fishing tournaments are held here every year. Near Douglas Dam, in Sevier County, there is a beach swimming area, and a large concrete paved public boat launch. As a full-time hiking and kayaking guide, I've taken many couples and individuals out on the water, built a bonfire on a small island, and immensely enjoyed watching the sunset, with a view of The Great Smoky Mountains in the distance. Then, after the sun has set, boat activity subsides, the winds calm , and the large lake becomes a huge glass-like mirror, decorated with the reflections of the moon, and and stars, as they come out to play, and ever so brightly! I love going there, and as a local I do so often, and I also very much enjoy showing folks, the beauty of "the simple life", at the Foothills of The Smokies!
Written June 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Douglas Lake - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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